Beatrix Potter

Miss Potter Film Comes to Cumbria

A feature film about the life of famous children's author, Beatrix Potter, has been enticed to the region with the help of North West Vision's Cumbria Film Office.

Oscar winning actress Renee Zellwegger (Bridget Jones), will play the role of Beatrix Potter, with Ewan Mcgregor (Star Wars, Moulin Rouge) starring opposite her as Norman Warne, Potter's publisher and lover. Appropriately titled Miss Potter, the feature film, which reveals the woman behind such timeless classics as 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit', filmed in Cumbria throughout April.

Beatrix Potter fell in love with natural and unspoilt beauty of Cumbria (or 'The Lake District' as it is more fondly known) after the Potter family holidayed there for several decades.

Cumbria's film liaison officer Alan Saywell, worked closely with the film's production team to help find and secure filming locations, negotiate hotel deals and source local crew for the shoot. Cumbria Tourist Board and the National Trust played also played an invaluable role in attracting the filmmakers into the Lake District.

Executive producer of the film, Nigel Wooll said:

"80% of the reason we are shooting in Cumbria is because of the fantastic support of the Cumbria Film Office, film officer Alan Saywell and all the partners in Cumbria."

Alice Morrison, chief executive of North West Vision said:

"The shoot of Miss Potter is excellent news for Cumbria as the Cumbria film office was established with the aim of raising the region's profile as a filming location and to generate jobs and increase inward investment; and this is exactly what is being achieved with Miss Potter. I look forward to seeing Cumbria in all its stunning beauty on the big screen."

The Cumbria Film Office officially opened last December and is supported by Rural Regeneration Cumbria, Cumbria Institite of the Arts and Cumbria County Council.

Ian Stephens, chief executive of Cumbria Tourist Board, said:

"This is a marvellous opportunity to show potential visitors the stunning scenery of the Lake District while telling the fascinating story of the character behind these special children's books. Many people already visit the Lake District on the Beatrix Potter trail and this movie will undoubtedly stimulate more interest in her work and in the Lake District as a place to be inspired."

Cumbria